Golf Bags and Methods for Storing and Sorting Golf Clubs

ABSTRACT

Golf bags that include a panel that divides the interior of the bag into at least two compartments and a plurality of holders coupled to the panel, with the holders adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft. Preferably, the bags include a closed bottom area having a plurality of sections, with each section adapted to receive a club head in separate arrangement from other club heads. Also disclosed are methods for storing and sorting golf clubs in a golf bag such that the club shafts may be viewable within the bag or the club head may be protected at the bottom of the bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a golf and more specifically to golf club bags that are more functional for a wider variety of players.

2. Description of the Related Art

Over the years, many features have been developed to make golf bags easier to carry/stand by themselves, better organized, and more protective of the bag contents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,702 discloses a bag that has side panels that more or less completely open to reveal multiple organizational compartments of the bag.

Despite the myriad of bag designs and features, the typical golf bag holds golf clubs such that each club head is disposed at the top of the bag, and, therefore, is visible to a player for selection. Accordingly, clubs often are covered with a “sock” or similar protective material to shield them from the elements and to provide cushioning against accidental contact with each other. Rather than being contained loosely, or in one or more sleeves, some bags, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,438 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,596, hold clubs in structures located at or near the top of the bag.

While these and other bag designs may be suitable for their intended purposes, it can be difficult for shorter golfers to see and select a club, particularly when the golf bag is elevated off the ground (e.g., mounted on a cart). Moreover, having the club side up raises the center of gravity of the bag, making it more prone to tip by virtue of being “top heavy.” Furthermore, even the use of “socks” or other protective coverings may not prevent club heads from swinging around or otherwise striking one another while in the golf bag (for example, if the bag is dropped). This can result in dings or other damage that can be costly to repair or even result in a club having to be replaced.

For the foregoing reasons, it would be desirable to have a golf bag that specifically is adapted for housing clubs in more protective, organized and accessible and manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to a golf club bag having a panel that divides the interior of the bag into at least two compartments, with each of the compartments being adapted to house one or more golf clubs, and a plurality of holders are coupled to the dividing panel and are adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft. Preferably, a golf bag of the invention has internal compartments in the bottom of the bag for keeping clubs in a club-head down position. Also preferably, a golf bag of the invention further includes slots at the bag opening for woods/putters and a means for viewing clubs within the bag, such as a panel that is openable and/or made with transparent material.

In one embodiment, the holders of the golf bag comprise a clip. Preferably, the clip includes a flexible opening through which a club shaft is received and held in place until removed by a user.

In another embodiment, open end of the golf bag includes a divider that further defines an entry area into one or more compartments or slots for organizing different types of clubs. In one instance, the divider can define at least three separate entry areas for placement of different types of clubs. Thus, for example, a user can sort golf clubs by separating irons, putters, and one or more other type of clubs, such as a driver, a wood, or a hybrid club, into each of areas.

In yet another embodiment, the bottom area of the golf bag includes a plurality of sections or compartments that are adapted to receive a club head such that each head is kept separate from other club heads. Preferably, the plurality of sections are aligned with each of the plurality of holders such that the club head of each golf club engaged by a holder is received by a single section or compartment.

In still another embodiment, a golf bag further includes a substantially transparent panel through which a user is capable of viewing the plurality of holders. In addition to, or in lieu of, one or more transparent panels, the bag may further include a panel that is openable to expose the plurality of holders to a user. Thus, for example, a young or short golfer can view and select a club without seeing or needing access to the top of the golf bag.

Various other purposes and improvements of the invention will be detailed further in the specification that follows. Therefore, further to the embodiments described above, the golf bags of the invention include the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged perspective view of a preferred club holder of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an elevational top view of the bag-top divider seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts an elevational top view of a preferred protecting and organizing compartment especially for club heads that is disposed at the bottom of a golf bag of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, a golf bag 2 includes a body 10 having an interior 12, an exterior 14, a closed bottom end 16 and an open upper end 18. A panel 20 divides the interior 12 of the body 10 into at least two compartments (22A and 22B), with each of the compartments being adapted to house one or more golf clubs such that they are more or less enveloped by bag 2. Panel 20 further provides a slot 24 through which cart strap 26 is threaded and protrudes form each side of bag 2. By being disposed through the interior of the bag, cart strap 26 allows bag 2 to be securely attached to a cart without constricting the bag's outer circumference.

On dividing panel 20 are disposed a plurality of holders 30. Holders 30 are securely coupled to panel 20 and are adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft 32. Preferably, the holders 30 a arrayed in a line (only two of which are shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity) and in numbers sufficient for holding a desired number of clubs (for example, nine holders for nine irons).

As best seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the holders 30 preferably include a clip 34. While the clip could simply provide a frictional engagement of the club shaft 32, preferably clip 34 includes a flexible opening 36 through which the club shaft 32 is received and held in place until removed by a user. The flexible opening 36 can take the form of a two-piece rubber strip, with shaft 32 being forced through the strip to hold the shaft within the clip or remove it therefrom. An indication 37 of the club identity (e.g. “9” for 9 iron) may appear on flexible opening 36 or elsewhere so that a user can identify a club at a glance, as described more fully below. Moreover, a resilient liner 38 may be disposed within the clip 34 to provide an additional measure of protection and cushioning to shaft 32.

There are a number of golfing situations in which young players, those who are disabled, or those who are small in stature can have difficulties in handling a golf bag. Thus, it often is desirable to place a golf bag on a cart. However, it may be difficult for the golfer to see and select a club when the bag is elevated. Moreover, having to frequently remove the bag from the cart may defeat the purpose of same if the golfer has an issue with lifting the bag, is small, etc. Accordingly, a golf bag of the invention may include a substantially transparent panel 40 through which a user is capable of viewing a club (and preferably a holder of a club to allow for optimal engagement and disengagement therefrom). In this circumstance, the golfer would not need to clearly see the shaft (or club head if so disposed) at the upper opening 18 of bag 2 in order to select the proper club. Alternatively, or in addition to one or more transparent panels 40, the bag 2 may include an openable panel 41 that exposes a club for ease in selection and removal/replacement “through” the bag 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top or upper opening 18 of bag 2 is divided into two compartments (22A and 22B) by panel 20. To aid in organization, the upper opening further may be subdivided by dividers 50, 51, and 52. This subdivision results in different entry areas 54, 56, 58 and 60 that can be used to separate different types of clubs. For example, area 54 can house a putter, while areas 56, 58, and 60 could harbor drivers, woods, hybrid clubs, etc.

Unlike the typical golf bag, each club may be placed such that the club head 64 is at the bottom 18 of bag 2. Several advantages can be gleaned from housing a golf club in this manner. First, disposing the weightier portion of a club at the bottom of a bag lowers the bags center of gravity. Second, the club heads can be further housed within a section or compartment 66. Thus, improved bag stability and protection of the club heads can be attained.

As seen in FIG. 4, preferably, bottom area insert 70 includes a plurality of sections 66 adapted to receive a club head 64 in separate arrangement from other club heads. In the embodiment shown, nine sections are available (one for each of nine irons). Each of the sections 66 preferably are constructed of a resilient material the conforms in shape to each club head, thereby providing improved protection. Preferably, the plurality of sections 66 are aligned with each of the plurality of holders 30 such that the club head 64 of each golf club engaged by a holder is received by a single section. The bottom insert may further be divided to separate and keep more or less vertical clubs of different types. Thus, for example, dividers 72, 74, and 76 are used to create areas 78 (putters), 80 (drivers), 82 (woods), and 84 (hybrids).

It will be apparent from the above that golf bags of the invention also provides methods for storing and sorting golf clubs. Preferably, a method of the invention comprising the steps of: (a) providing a golf bag having a closed bottom and an interior, a plurality of holders adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft disposed within the bag interior, and a panel or opening on a lateral face of said bag through which said plurality of holders are viewable by a user; and (b) placing one or more golf clubs within the bag such that the shaft is engaged by a holder and the golf club club-head is located at the bottom of the bag. The reverse may, of course, also be practiced by viewing a desired club through the transparent panel or opening and removing the club.

Further to this method, the bag can include one or more compartments disposed within said closed bottom of the interior of the bag such that a user additionally places a club head into one of the compartments.

If the bag further includes a divider that defines separate entry areas, a user may additionally sort the golf clubs by separating irons, putters, and one or more clubs selected from the group consisting of a driver, a wood, or a hybrid club, into each of these areas.

Thus, the golf bags and methods of the invention involve a unique combination internal club-holders, transparent or openable club holder viewing areas, and protective compartments or sections for housing club heads at the bottom of the golf bag. Such a combination of features would be completely unnecessary on a “typical” bag that houses clubs with the club heads protruding from the bag top.

Various changes in the details and components that have been described may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention herein described in the specification and defined in the appended claims. Therefore, while the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent processes and products. 

1. A golf bag, comprising: a body having an interior, an exterior, a closed bottom end and an open upper end, a panel that divides said interior of the body into at least two compartments, each of said compartments being adapted to house one or more golf clubs; and a plurality of holders coupled to said panel, wherein said holders are adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft.
 2. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein said holders comprise a clip.
 3. The golf bag of claim 2, wherein said clip includes a flexible opening through which said club shaft is received and held in place until removed by a user.
 4. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein said open upper end includes a divider that further defines an entry area for one or more compartments of said interior.
 5. The golf bag of claim 4, wherein said divider defines at least three separate entry areas for placement of different types of clubs.
 6. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein said closed bottom area includes a plurality of sections adapted to receive a club head in separate arrangement from other club heads.
 7. The golf bag of claim 6, wherein said plurality of sections are aligned with each of said plurality of holders such that the club head of each golf club engaged by a holder is received by a single section.
 8. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein said body further includes a substantially transparent panel through which a user is capable of viewing one or more golf clubs.
 9. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein said body further includes a panel this is openable to expose said plurality of holders to a user.
 10. The golf bag of claim 1, further including a slot and a strap disposed through the interior of the bag.
 11. A golf bag, comprising, a body having an interior, an exterior, a closed bottom end and an open upper end, a panel that divides said interior of the body into at least two compartments, each of said compartments being adapted to house one or more golf clubs, a plurality of sections located at said closed bottom end and adapted to receive a club head in separate arrangement from other club heads; and a plurality of holders coupled to said panel, wherein said holders are adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft.
 12. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein said open upper end includes a divider that further defines an entry area for one or more compartments of said interior.
 13. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein said plurality of sections are aligned with each of said plurality of holders such that the club head of each golf club engaged by a holder is received by a single section.
 14. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein said holders comprise a clip.
 15. The golf bag of claim 14, wherein said clip includes a flexible opening through which said club shaft is received and held in place until removed by a user.
 16. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein said body further includes a substantially transparent panel through which a user is capable of viewing one or more golf clubs.
 17. The golf bag of claim 11, wherein said body further includes a panel this is openable to expose said plurality of holders to a user.
 18. A method for storing and sorting golf clubs, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a golf bag having a closed bottom and an interior, a plurality of holders adapted to removeably engage a golf club shaft disposed within said interior, and a panel or opening on a lateral face of said bag through which said plurality of holders are viewable by a user; and (b) placing one or more golf clubs within said bag such that the shaft is engaged by a holder and a golf club club-head is located at said closed bottom of the bag.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said bag includes one or more compartments disposed within said closed bottom of the interior of said bag, and said user places said club head into one of said compartments.
 20. The method of claim 18, further including the step of viewing a desired club through said panel or opening and removing said club.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein said bag further includes a divider that defines at least three separate entry areas, and a user sorts said golf clubs by separating irons, putters, and one or more clubs selected from the group consisting of a driver, a wood, or a hybrid club, into each of said areas. 